Vehicle tax changes

From 1 October 2014, the paper tax disc will no longer need to be displayed on a vehicle windscreen.

You can apply online to tax or SORN your vehicle using your 16 digit reference number from your vehicle tax renewal reminder (V11) or 11 digit reference number from your log book (V5C)

What this means to you

To drive or keep a vehicle on the road you will still need to get vehicle tax and DVLA will still send you a renewal reminder when your vehicle tax is due to expire. This applies to all types of vehicles including those that are exempt from payment of vehicle tax.

BUYING A VEHICLE

From 1 October, when you buy a vehicle, the vehicle tax will no longer be transferred with the vehicle. You will need to get new vehicle tax before you can use the vehicle.

You can tax the vehicle using the New Keeper Supplement (V5C/2) part of the vehicle registration certificate (V5C) online or by phone – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Alternatively, you may wish to visit a Post Office® branch.

SELLING A VEHICLE

If you sell a vehicle after 1 October and you have notified DVLA, you will automatically get a refund for any full calendar months left on the vehicle tax.

VEHICLE TAX REFUNDS

You will no longer need to make a separate application for a refund of vehicle tax. DVLA will automatically issue a refund when a notification is received from the person named on DVLA vehicle register that the:

vehicle has been sold or transferred

vehicle has been scrapped at an Automated Treatment Facility

vehicle has been exported

vehicle has been stolen

vehicle has been removed from the road and the person on the vehicle register has made a Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN)

person on the vehicle register has changed the tax class on the vehicle to an exempt duty tax class

person on the vehicle register has taken out new vehicle tax as part of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) scheme (Standard Rate Mobility Element)

CHECKING THE TAX STATUS OF A VEHICLE

You can check the tax status of any vehicle online. This can also be used for rental vehicles.